Insert for coreless roll of web material and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A reusable insert for a coreless roll of web material allows the roll to freely spin on a standard dispenser. The reusable insert includes a one piece elongated tubular body having a first section, a second tapered section, and a hollow core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an insert for a roll of web material. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reusable insert for a coreless roll of web material that allows the roll to freely spin from a standard dispenser.

Traditionally, the majority of roll product materials, such as bathroom tissue or paper towels, include a rolled web formed around a hollow core member typically made from cardboard. In order to help the environment, the industry has recently developed coreless rolls of web material. The coreless rolls have the web material tightly wound around a relatively small opening in the middle. Unfortunately, the small opening in the middle creates a false core. The false core produces a weak point on the roll that reduces the strength of the roll allowing the roll to deform during shipment. The deformation makes it difficult for the roll to spin from the standard roll dispenser.

As can be seen, there is a need for a reusable insert for coreless rolls of web material that allow the roll to freely spin from a standard roll dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a reusable insert including a one piece elongated tubular body having a first section, a second tapered section, and a hollow core, the reusable insert is adapted to be inserted into a coreless web material roll.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching a reusable insert to a coreless web material roll including providing a one piece elongated tubular body having a first section, a second tapered section, and a hollow core and inserting the second tapered section of the main elongated tubular body through an opening on the coreless web material roll.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of an insert for a coreless paper material roll according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the insert inside the coreless roll;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the insert of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of the insert of FIG. 1 showing the insert of FIG. 1 compared to an insert according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a reusable insert for a coreless roll of web material that allows the roll to freely spin from a standard dispenser.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a reusable insert 10 adapted to be inserted into a coreless web material roll 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The web material roll 14 may be a toilet paper roll, a paper towel roll, a gift wrap paper roll, a fabric roll, or a plastic roll. The reusable insert 10 may be made as a one piece elongated tubular body 12 having a first section 16, a second tapered section 18, and a hollow core 20.

The one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be made of rigid material. In some embodiments, the one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be made of plastic, metal, polymeric materials, or composite materials. The one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be made by die molding, extrusion, or injection molding. The length of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 may depend on the length of the web material roll 14. In some embodiments, the length of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be smaller or the same as the length of the web material roll 14. In some embodiments, the length of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be between 4 and 60 inches. In some embodiments, the length of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 may be between 4 and 11 inches. The diameter of the elongated body 12 may depend on the size of the web material roll 14. In some embodiments, the diameter of the elongated body 12 may be between 1 and 2 inches. In some embodiments, the diameter of the elongated body 12 may be approximately 1 9/16 inches.

The first section 16 of the main elongated tubular body may have walls having a constant cross section towards the middle section of the one piece elongated tubular body 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the walls of the second tapered section 18 may taper from a middle section 19 of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 towards an end 21. In some embodiments, the walls of the second tapered section 18 may gradually taper by approximately 1½ inches from the middle section 19 of the one piece elongated tubular body 12 toward the end 21. The second tapered section 18 may ease the insertion of the reusable insert 10 into the coreless web material roll 14 by reducing the force required for insertion.

The user may introduce the second tapered section 18 of the main elongated tubular body 12 into the opening of the roll of web material 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates a reusable insert 22 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reusable insert 22 may be adapted to be inserted into a paper towel roll (not shown).

In some embodiments, the second section 18 does not include tapered walls.

The present invention relates also to a method for attaching a reusable insert to a coreless web material roll. The second tapered section 18 of the main elongated tubular body 12 may be inserted through an opening on the coreless web material roll 14.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A reusable insert comprising: a one piece elongated tubular body having a first section, a second tapered section, and a hollow core; wherein the reusable insert is adapted to be inserted into a coreless web material roll.
 2. The reusable insert according to claim 1, wherein the coreless web material roll is a tissue paper roll, paper towel roll, gift wrap paper roll, fabric roll, or plastic roll.
 3. The reusable insert according to claim 1, wherein the one piece elongated tubular body is made of a rigid material.
 4. The reusable insert according to claim 3, wherein the rigid material is plastic, metal, polymeric materials, or composite materials.
 5. The reusable insert according to claim 1, wherein the one piece elongated tubular body has a cylindrical shape.
 6. The reusable insert according to claim 1, wherein the first section includes walls having a constant cross section.
 7. A method for attaching a reusable insert to a coreless web material roll comprising the steps of: providing a one piece elongated tubular body having a first section, a second tapered section, and a hollow core; inserting the second tapered section of the main elongated tubular body through an opening on the coreless web material roll.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the one piece elongated tubular body is made of a rigid material. 